I Don't Own Game of Thrones, the Song of Ice and Fire or any of their Characters
The obnoxious ringing of the alarm was like a thousand banshees screaming the omen of her death. Which sounded rather inviting in that moment. The pounding in Daenerys' skull was something out of a horror film. At least that was how she felt. And the annoying alarm clock was so loud, it felt like the vibrations were shaking her brain back and forth.
Without lifting her head from the comfort of her pillow, she reached for the offending object and turned it off. She moaned in pain as she lifted her head. The room around her began to spin and she collapsed back onto the mattress. "Bugger." She said, muffled. She was definitely hungover. How much did she drink last night? She remembered dinner with Jorah. And wine. So much wine.
How could I be so stupid? I thought angrily. Telling him all of those personal things. Sansa doesn't even know any of it. Just the thought of her friend and coworker made her stomach turn in rebellion. All of those sweeties. Biscuits. Carbs everywhere. How am I going to be able to work like this?
She reached for her phone and cringed at the shining light when she pressed the home button. Next, she scrolled through her contact list under 'S' and dialed Sansa. Knowing that she would already be up and on her way to the cafe since she got in an hour before her. She placed the phone at her ear, cringing at the ringing sound until her friend answered in an all too-cheerful voice this early in the morning.
"Good morning, Dany!"
Daenerys groaned. "Why are you always so chipper first thing in the morning?"
"Better to greet the new day with a smile than a frown." She answered enthusiastically. "But judging by your tone, you disagree."
"In a sense."
"You're hungover aren't you?" Her friend guessed.
"How could you possibly know that?"
"You forget who you're talking to, Dany." She retorted. "There's only one reason why you would call me right after your alarm goes off. You're feeling poorly and you want to have the day off. Sophie's not in on Thursdays, otherwise, you would've called her directly. Have I got this right?"
"You know me so well," Daenerys said, muffled against the pillow.
"What was that?" Now she was teasing. "I didn't hear that last part."
"Yes, you did. So is that a 'yes' or a 'deal with it and come to work'?"
Sansa laughed. "Go ahead and enjoy your day off, Dany. I can handle the first few hours alone until the next manager comes in. Get some rest."
"You're not mad?" She dared to ask.
"Only that we're not hungover together . Who got you drunk?"
"Jorah's very expensive wine." She admitted.
"He's charming you with wine now? I'm impressed."
"It was a very good wine."
"I bet it was. I want details tomorrow. Don't forget it's your birthday."
"Is it that time already?" She thought curiously. With everything going on, she didn't even think to look at the calendar.
"Yes, and only you wouldn't request such an important day off."
"It's just another day, Sansa." She argued. "Nothing special about it."
"'Nothing special about it' she says." Sansa mocked. "Only the day my best friend was born. Which I'd never know if I didn't accidentally see it on your job application."
"'Accidently' indeed." Daenerys pinched the bridge of her nose. "You better not cause a scene at the cafe."
"Who me? Never!"
"How about we have our girl's night this Sunday and you can dissect me then?"
"You drive a hard bargain, Dany." Then she giggled. "Glad to see I've been rubbing off on you."
"Oh, God." Daenerys rolled her eyes with the new headache forming. "Goodbye, Sansa."
"Love you, Dany!"
She pressed the 'end' button and placed her phone on the nightstand and burrowed her face back into the pillows. Letting the pain have at her. She never threw up easily when hungover, so she usually just relented and let the poison go through her entire system and clean itself out. It had to come out eventually. But her head! Oh, the headache was the worst part.
Some time passed before her bladder started screaming for her to get up and relieve herself or else she can't hold it for much longer. Giving up on the bed, she shuffled her way to the loo and shut the door. After nature gave its call for however long, she washed her face and brushed her teeth before staring at herself in the mirror. She looked like hell. Just as she felt. Why did she get so pissed? Memories of Jorah carrying her to bed resurfaced and she rubbed her sore temple. "Danaerys, you stupid girl." She remembered just how safe she felt in his arms. How warm he was. The way he carried her. Then when she smelled him. "Good grief." She actually sniffed him. And liked it. She also remembered flirting with him a little. Just before she could mentally berate herself further, she heard a knock on the door. "Not now." She moaned to herself as she crawled back into bed. "Come in."
The door opened and she heard Davos' voice. "Miss Targaryen? I've brought you some breakfast."
The smell of eggs and bacon hit her nose and her stomach protested immediately. Quickly, she pulled the blankets over her head to shield her from the aroma. "No, thank you, Davos."
"Are you alright?" What a sweet man.
She kept her head under the covers. "I'm afraid I'm not feeling well this morning. If you would please pass on this information to Mr. Mormant so he needn't get ready to drive me to work. I've already requested the day off."
"As you wish, ma'am." Then he left, and so did the smell.
Her stomach began to resettle considerably. She remained hidden under the covers for a while longer. Dozing in and out of sleep. The second time she woke up, she was lying on her back and her headache was much worse. But I also felt something cool being pressed against her forehead. Willing her eyes open, she saw Jorah sitting next to the bed, ice pack in hand while resting it against the ache in her skull.
"What are you doing?" She asked, sitting up. Which she instantly regretted and moaned at the pounding in her head.
He dropped the ice pack and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Gently. Don't move too fast."
Her stomach agreed as she curled into a ball. "It wasn't my intention to move at all."
"I didn't mean to startle you." He swore. "But I've had a few hangovers in my time and I always found that having some ice for the headache to be soothing."
She sighed in bliss as he once more pressed it against her pounding temple. "That does feel nice."
His chest rumbled with a quiet laugh. "I knew it would. I brought you some toast as well. You need something that will help soak up what's in your stomach so it'll pass easier."
"Ugh...food." Her stomach protested at the thought. "I'd rather not."
"It might help you spit up."
"Oh, jolly good that." Her eyes slammed shut. "I'll just get right to it then."
"The sooner you do, the sooner you'll recover."
She made a face. "I have difficulty forcing myself to do it. So I usually just let it pass naturally. Which takes a few hours."
"Come on. Here," He held out a piece of toast towards her. "Just a few bites. Your stomach will thank you. Trust me"
"My stomach disagrees."
"Take it." He insisted. "A few bites won't do you any harm."
"Fine." She gave up, taking what he offered. She took a couple of nibbles as she glared at him. "If I get sick all over your shoes, I don't want to hear any complaints."
"That's why I have a bin," He said, pulling one out and placing it in front of me. "Ready and waiting."
She laid down on her side as she kept eating. "You didn't get me drunk on purpose, did you?"
He rolled his eyes while keeping the icepack on her head. "I offered you more wine, you accepted. Until it was empty."
"Fair," She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. "It was a very good wine."
He smiled in agreement. "It was."
"So,"
"So," He repeated,
"About what I said yesterday," She started. "I'm sorry."
His brows furrowed. "What for?"
"For telling you my problems with my family." She cleared her throat. "I shouldn't have burdened you with all of it. Some of it, I haven't told my closest friend. "
"As I recall, I asked you about your life." He said. "I want you to trust me, Daenerys. And when you told me of your past," He placed his hand on hers. "I was honored that you opened up to me."
"I have never told anyone about what happened to me when I was 16. I would appreciate it if you wouldn't share it with anyone."
"I swear it." He promised. "What you've had to go through, I can't even imagine."
"I've tried to forget," She told him. "But the memories still haunt me."
He continued to nurse her headache with the ice pack. "I'm not your father, Daenerys. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to."
Her eyes narrowed at him. "And yet you continue to flirt with me."
His smile was shameless. "I said I won't force you. That doesn't mean I don't still want you. And you want me too."
"And you're sure of this because?"
He leaned in closely, never removing his hand from her head. "'You know, Jorah, you're very handsome.'" He laughed at her horrified expression. "I've never felt so complimented before."
"I doubt that," She muttered.
"So you're not denying it?" He probed.
"Why bother?" She argued. "The damage is done."
"What damage?"
"The stroke of your ego."
"I don't mind it being stroked by you."
She rolled her eyes. "I won't deny that you're an attractive man."
He grinned. "You continue to flatter me so."
"I'm merely pointing out the obvious."
"I believe that you and I will be excellent lovers."
"There you go again." She muttered. "So sure of yourself that we'll be anything more than acquaintances."
"I know what I want."
"And what you want is me."
"It is. And you want me."
Her brow went up. "What's this?"
He leaned in even closer. "Don't think I didn't notice how you looked at me at the cafe. Your pale cheeks lighting filling with a blush that could rival the sun. Eyes the color of lavender darkening with desire. You were attracted to me as much as I was to you."
She swallowed, "Noticed that did you?"
"I did." His pupils dilated. "I would have asked for your mobile then and there on a normal day. But I knew I would be seeing you soon."
"I'm not some slut who throws herself at every gorgeous man she sees."
He traced a finger down her cheek. "I know that. It's one of the things that attract me to you. Even now, you resist me. Even though you share similar feelings. I never had any issues getting a woman into my bed. But you give me a challenge. You hold the world on your shoulders and still remain strong. Though many have wronged you, you remain to keep a gentle heart. You keep it from becoming dark."
"It would be a cruel world if I refused to see that there was still good in some people."
"What do you see in me?" He asked quietly.
Her eyes looked into his, searching. "I see a man who holds a shroud over his past. One that's seen the worst of human nature firsthand. He has the ability But he sees the beauty underneath."
"I see the beauty in you." He admitted.
She shook her head. "I'm not beautiful."
"But you are, Daenerys. Inside and out."
"I must disagree with you, Jorah." She said, turning her head away. "Have you seen me? They used to call me the 'ghost girl' when I was in school. Because of my hair and complexion. I was paler than my brothers in every way."
"Children can be cruel." He took a strand of her hair and curled it in his fingers. "Like most people. They fear what they do not understand."
"Are you saying you understand?"
"More than most. And I understand you."
"What about?"
He let her hair go. "You fear being hurt. After facing betrayal after betrayal by those who were supposed to protect you, you're afraid of letting someone into your heart. You're afraid of being loved."
"Everyone who has given me such affection paid for it with their lives." She admitted mournfully. "My mother loved me enough to give birth to me even though she knew it could kill her. My oldest brother loved me and he lost his life while shopping for groceries. The reason why I have so few friends is that I can't bear the thought of losing someone else I care about."
"Surely you don't want to be alone forever." He insisted.
"It's what's best for everyone. There's something wrong with me."
"How could you think something of yourself?"
"My mother died giving birth to me." She reminded him. "Which caused my father and brother to hate me. It had to be my fault, right? She'd still be alive if it wasn't for me. But here I am. My own flesh and blood sold me twice as if I were nothing." She turned her face to meet his sympathetic gaze. "If my own family can't love me, how can I expect anyone else to?"
"What about your friend, Sansa?" He enquired.
She shook her head. "I could never tell her all of my past. She already knows about how Viserys walks all over me. The fewer details she knows, the better. I'd hate to wonder what she'd think of me if she knew the whole truth."
"Daenerys, I don't know Sansa Stark well, but what I do know well is when someone cares deeply for another. And she cares a great deal for you. Considering she threatened to make my life a living hell if I so much as I looked at you wrong."
"Damn it, Sansa." She muttered, embarrassed.
"You may be surprised at what her reaction may be." He said. "I may not know you as well as she, but what you've told me just proves how strong you are. Many people would have been driven mad if they went through half of what you did."
"Please don't say 'mad'."
"Why not?"
She shuddered. "My father was known for being mad. I heard people call him the Mad King."
"Ah, I see."
"Even after his death, Viserys and I still get strange looks. While Viserys shows signs of sheer stupidity, they expect me to be just like them. If they knew what had really happened and what my involvement was, I'd carry that on my shoulders for the rest of my life."
"You are nothing like them, Daenerys," he assured her. "You've already proven that."
"I'll never be seen as different. I'm going to carry their burden for the rest of my life."
He took away the ice pack and placed it on the nightstand. "You are so much more than just your heritage."
"That's all anyone sees me as."
He looked her straight in the eyes. "I don't. There are times I look at you and I still can't believe you're real."
"What do you see?" She dared to ask.
"I see...a queen." He whispered
She snorted. "Some queen. Queens are supposed to be strong."
"Chains couldn't hold you. None made of steel or blood."
"You must recite poetry."
"I'm afraid I'm rather terrible at that."
"With a voice like yours." She sighed, "I could listen to you for hours."
"Like my voice do you?" He purred. "I'm told that it sounds as though I growl like a bear."
"Well, then I guess I like bears now."
"Daenerys, you are ever the temptress."
"Me? You're the one who's been flirting this whole time."
"When I'm around you, I can't help myself." He leaned his face in closely. His lips barely brushed over hers. "Would you let me kiss you?"
Her heart started to hammer, dulling the ache in her skull. "You need my permission?"
"I said I wouldn't do anything without your consent." He murmured. "I want to hear you say it."
Dear Gods, he was teasing her. How could she want this? She barely knows him. But the way he talks to her makes it so easy for her to confide in him. She's stripped her soul bare to him after only knowing him for a few days. She shouldn't like him. He made a bargain with her brother to keep her. But he's also shown her more kindness than anyone has in her life aside from Sansa. He could have forced himself on her at any time and she wouldn't be able to stop him. But he wants her to come to him.
"Kiss me." She finally let herself say.
He rid the remaining space between then whispered, "Thank you." And he pressed his lips to hers.